Currently, the number of Fiat 500 orders in Europe is close to the 100,000-mark, including 3,000 in Germany alone.
Fighting hard to combat sluggish customer demand, it is by all means untypical for German new-car dealers to offer models that are not subject to any buyer incentives. Currently, new-car discounts from manufacturers in the German market are reaching an average 16%, with Fiat offering its Panda city car with a price reduction up to 27%, for example.
In Germany, the Fiat 500 retails for EUR 10,500, with the entry-level Pop model offering seven airbags, power steering, power windows and a CD/MP3-player, among other things. The car with a 1.4-litre 16V 100PS petrol engine will start at EUR 12,500, just like a variant powered by a 1.3-litre 16V diesel motor developing 75PS. The other trims called Lounge and Sport will be available at a premium of EUR 2,000 each.
In Britain, the Fiat 500 is due to hit showrooms in January, starting at GBP 7,900. The newcomer undercuts rivals such as the MINI, retailing for GBP 13,025, and Renault Twingo, which carries a price tag of GBP 8,375.
With a starting price of just GBP 7,900 OTR, the new Fiat 500 represents outstanding value for money and positions the car well below its benchmark rivals. At the top end of the range, a highly specified version with a larger engine costs only GBP 10,700 - an OTR price that includes air conditioning and alloy wheels as standard.
Available with a choice of three frugal, ultra-low emissions, Euro 5-ready engines: 69bhp 1.2-litre and 100bhp 1.4-litre petrol, or 75bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet turbodiesel, the new Fiat 500 can be ordered in three different trim levels - Pop, Sport and Lounge.
Standard equipment in the entry-level Pop includes ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, driver, passenger, side and driver’s knee airbags, radio/CD/MP3 player, power steering, electric mirrors, colour coded bumpers and chrome-plated door handles. The extensive options list includes ESP, glass sunroof, metallic paint and parking sensors.
“There has been widespread speculation about Fiat 500 prices this year and we’re delighted now to be able to reveal them,” says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. “We wanted to create a classless car for everyone, that was not just about being a well-known badge, and with this pricing structure I believe we have introduced a model to the UK that will be within the reach of a wide range of customers.”
After his success in creating the new Fiat 500, Roberto Giolito has been promoted to head of design at Fiat Automobiles. Previously he was head of Fiat’s advanced design studio.
Giolito created the Trepiuno concept that was unveiled at the Geneva auto show in 2004 and was asked to turn the concept into the production 500 minicar.
Giolito replaces Christopher Reitz who has a new role as head of group style and material scouting at Fiat.
Earlier this month, Sergio Marchionne ignited talk that the Fiat 500 could be set to arrive in the USA, after confirming that they were closely monitoring the stateside launch of the Smart Fortwo. "We are observing the Smart phenomenon in the US. We'll see how it goes. Technically we are ready," Italian daily newspaper la Stampa reported Marchionne as saying.
